As I was waiting in line to enter the Minot Air Force Base the other day I thought about how lucky I really am to enter the world of the U.S. Air Force and encounter the many Airmen and civilians who pretty much have one common goal, the deterrence of our adversaries.
President Teddy Roosevelt may have started the ball rolling with is coined phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far” signifying diplomacy backed by military strength should be used to protect national interests and project influence without constant conflict.
More than once, and in more than one venue, someone speaking on behalf of the U.S. Air Force will talk about the deterrence missions that we have at Minot Air Force Base. Often referred to as 2 out of 3 legs of our nuclear triad, the Minuteman III and B 52 bombers stand ready deterrents between our peaceful lifestyle at home in the United States and the many, and unfortunately ever increasing, adversaries around the globe.
U.S. Air Force photo I Senior Airman Clayton Wear
So how do the Airmen of the Minot Air Force Base carry on those now famous words of President Teddy Roosevelt. But being the best trained at what they do. By believing in the missions that they shoulder every day. By keeping those missions, B 52’s and Minuteman III missiles ready to win the next war, wherever and whenever that is. And certainly, don’t get me wrong here. Teddy Roosevelt did not mean take the big stick and go out looking for a fight but instead carry the big stick as a warning to our adversaries, and our allies, that we are ready to carry the battle to wherever it is. To land B 52’s in far-away countries and let those adversaries know that we are ready, if and when we are called upon, to protect peace.
On the day I waited in line to enter the Minot Air Force Base my turn finally came. A Security Forces Airmen welcomed me with a smile and a comment about the sun breaking through the clouds on this rather blustery afternoon. Shortly after that I was treated to the Mayor of Minot answering questions from Minot AFB kids about just what the Mayor Minot does. But watching in the audience were Col Lamarand, Col Schlabach, and Chiefs Sharp and Thomas. Afterwards I talked with the command team for a few minutes and we chuckled at some of the pertinent, for the kids, questions that they Mayor fielded like “what’s your favorite food.”
While driving out, whether by chance or by design, I was able to watch a B 52 on its final approach to the Minot AFB runway, watching it glide gracefully down and admiring as I always do, this 60 year old and still relevant bomber. In the distance I could see flashing lights and soon the organized event of a convoy moving what I could only assume was a Minuteman III asset of some type. And that is where the inspiration for this column came from. There are roughly 50,000 citizens in the city of Minot, give or take, and I am probably the only one who could sit back and appreciate what I had experienced on this particular day. Again, how lucky can I be?
The missions of the Minot Air Force Base are so very relevant to the peace of our nation. The Airmen who work those missions make them relevant. The B 52 is not a new plane, and the Minuteman III is not a new missile. The young men and women who support the mission don’t throw up their hands and say, “These are old, we can’t make them work.” Nope! Instead, they develop procedures and competitions to make sure that these missions stay relevant until they are replaced.
What they do is so special, and they keep doing it so well. And I am, and will continue to be, thankful for the opportunities I have to tell their story.
Getting’ Around
Erin Beene sent us a photo of an Extreme Cold Watch in Texas as their temperatures approach the freezing mark. She said, “folks are really freaking out here.” On the flip side Meteorologist Tom Schroeder said we’re looking for warmer temperature after this extreme cold snap. Temps could get into the 40’s. We’ll be looking forward to that.
Guess that goes to show it all depends on your perspective and your attitude.
Today’s Chuckle
I heard a kid explain to another the other day…back in the old days they used to do stupid things like sticking their tongues on cold metal stuff on the playground. That was back when they didn’t have plastic….
